Late August

 It is hot. So so so so hot. High of 95 today or something! It was 95 yesterday, and 95 the day before. There is a theme, as you can see.

However, it is supposed to be cooler starting this weekend. August is ending and September is coming so this is the last really hot gasp of summer, I expect. The kids have been swimming a great deal. The water is delightful.

Kevin took the kids raspberry picking last week. They picked a bunch of berries and...

Kevin made jam!

I ate so many beans these last weeks. I love beans and bacon.

We had a visitor; a rooster showed up at the neighbor's house a few weeks ago, out of nowhere. Then he decided to spend a few hours strutting around our pool area. Then he left to go somewhere else.

More beans. 

We lined up the seven kids at home in order of birth. Isaac is over 6 ft. 3 inches tall. Daniel is growing fast, like an inch in the last two months! He is definitely in the middle of his massive growth spurt.

A few last things though. Lydia, as of today, has a job!  She interviewed for a receptionist position this morning and was offered the job. We are so happy! She is definitely feeling better than she was even two months ago. God is good and we are so thankful.

Another one of our books is coming out early next month. Kevin has been toiling away dealing with our narrator and getting files set up and all that. I am so grateful for him!

I am feeling pretty good now. In fact, great, though I still am not being super active in the very hot weather.

Improved

 I am like 95% now. Still occasionally feel a trifle short of breath, but so much better!

I have been doing more, too, which is great. I like being able to walk around the house, and talk, and fun stuff like that!

We had two birthdays in the last week. Angela is now 17 and Joseph is now 20. Wow, they are growing up!

I will try to get a picture of them together.  I was sick both days so wasn't taking a lot of pics.

Our green beans are going mad and I am so happy. I love green beans and bacon, so much!

The three younger kids started homeschooling last week. So far so good.

Whew, what else? I am writing a lot. Kevin's mom is in the area so we are spending time with her, which is wonderful.

Still sick

 ARGGHHHH!!!

It wasn't COVID. It isn't COVID. We are happy about that.

But while most of my symptoms from the recent illness are gone, I now have breathing problems. I had breathing problems all week. On Thursday I went to an urgent care with Kevin and got steroids. I am better than I was, but am not yet perfect.

It is very annoying. Thursday I couldn't talk for more than  a couple of minutes without panting for air. Now I can talk fairly well though any activity makes me pant.

So baby steps. I am trying to be thankful but I am more annoyed than thankful. But I should be thankful.

Needless to say, Kevin and the kids have been doing all the hard work.

Kevin and two of the girls picked green beans. I love green beans and bacon so much.

As is common for us Kendigs, it took weeks for everyone to get sick with this thing. Joseph called off work on Friday, and Daniel is sick now.  Sigh.

But we are getting there.

Early August

 

Now it is getting serious with the veggies. Lots and lots and lots of zucchinis, and Kevin is freezing tomatoes, and we have cucumbers and GREEN BEANS.  I love fresh green beans. So much.

Kevin likes to take the kids to lunch one at a time. Very different interaction then when the Horde is swirling.

So...

James 4: 13-15

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

I got sick this week. That is annoying because HELLO it is SUMMER and I don't want to get sick in th summer! We got sick after VBS too so yeah, I guess when we hang out with people, sometimes we get sick.

I have tested twice for COVID and it has been negative so that is good. Whatever I have, and I think it is just some random virus, it is affecting my breathing. I can't do much without panting dramatically.

It isn't dangerous, just annoying, but I had it in my head that this week we were going to start school for the year. BUT, the kids are sick too so no. That would be stupid. We will wait a week.

I am someone who loves to plan and indeed, planning is good. There are plenty of places in the Bible, particularly Proverbs, where people are urged to plan ahead. 

I think the verses in James have more to do with keeping one's heart ready to accept changes that the Lord brings into our lives. Not that I think God struck me down with sickness. I was hanging with someone who was sick, no doubt, and got sick. Or someone else in the family did. The point is, I need to not fret about pushing school back a week. That may sound like a minor thing, and thanks to Lexapro (yeah!) it isn't bad, but like I said, I LOVE to plan.

Six years ago I had a hysterectomy at the end of August so that whole school year was weird and the kids learned a lot anyway. So sometimes life throws a curveball.

In other news, we get to see a family this week whom used to be neighbors. They are a military family and were in Europe the last few years serving there, and are moving back to the area. They are a wonderful family with as many kids as we have, so we are all excited they will be back in the area soon.

Also, what would a summer blog post be without a mention of chiggers? Two finally got me. Sigh. I am so thankful for cold packs. 

I wrote a lot this week as sitting at a computer doesn't make my breathing get wonky. I have made major progress on both books I am working on, so that is good.